November 7
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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With early signs of momentum carrying over from Wednesday night's overtime victory against Dallas, Hornets point guard Chris Paul appeared pleased as he headed to the locker room with his team holding a two-point halftime lead against the Toronto Raptors. However, four minutes into the third quarter, Paul had the same frustrating glare as he did during Monday night's loss to the New York Knicks when the Hornets were thoroughly dominated in the fourth quarter, surrendering 40 points at Madison Square Garden. On Friday night, not even the home-court advantage could save the Hornets as they were undone by the Raptors' franchise-record eight 3-pointers in the third quarter that led to a ..."
June 7
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
columnist Ira Winderman
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A weekly look at five talking points that have the league buzzing: 1. Bosh: Let's talk in 2010. Good for Chris Bosh. He took a stand. There will be no extension this summer, the Raptors power forward declared last week. Instead, his next contract move will come at the July 1, 2010 start of free agency. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have not been nearly as definitive, even though it is unlikely either would entertain an extension when they become eligible this summer, with July 12 the first day Wade could close such a Heat deal and July 18 the first day a Cavaliers extension agreement could be reached with James. The reality, though, is Bosh's preemptive statement preempts nothing. If ..."
May 31
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
columnist Ira Winderman
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A weekly look at five talking points that have the league buzzing: 1. Not doubting Thomas. It is no coincidence that Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Raptors forward Chris Bosh, to the dollar, hold similar contracts. Wade will earn $14,410,581 in 2009-10. So will Bosh. Both can opt out after the coming season. Or both could earn $17,149,243 in 2010-11. Such is the measure of having the same agent, in this case Chicago-based Henry Thomas. While an amiable sort, Thomas also tends to remain low key to the point of reticence. When it comes to the two following a similar free-agent path, he leaves the talking to others. So Dwyane, for all the renewed speculation about a Wade-LeBron free-agent pairing ..."
May 13
Toronto Sun
columnist Frank Zicarelli
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The feel-good story that is Jay Triano doesn't have a prayer of ending on a good note unless the Raptors radically change their roster and philosophy. All one needs to fully grasp the gap that exists between the Raptors and most of their hardwood peers is to watch an NBA playoff game. Teams that are competing for a title are athletic and tough. Teams that harbour hopes of going far into the playoffs have players who can create their own shot in late-game situations. The teams that excel at this time of the year defend and are deep. They also have a legitimate franchise player. The Raptors are so far away that Triano's presence as a full-time head coach will have a minimal impact ..."
May 7
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
columnist Dave Hyde
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When Pat Riley said signing Dwyane Wade was the top priority this offseason — "Absolutely," the Heat president said Wednesday — that's all I needed to hear about Michael Beasley's future. Start packing. Enjoy Toronto. Sorry it couldn't work out, because watching you grow would have been fun. That's why part of me hates to write this: Trading Beasley for Chris Bosh this summer becomes the safest, smartest, simplest move for the Heat to make. Maybe it's even the best move, though it's not the one with the biggest upside. This all will take some explaining and connecting of dots. Let's start here: This is about Wade, not Beasley. Wade drives the franchise. Wade sells the tickets. Wade is the ..."